District History
The Florida Bandmasters Association was formed in 1936 to help improve and unify instrumental programs in Florida. In the late 1940's and early 1950's, FBA divided Florida into six districts to accommodate a growing State Festival. Subsequent redistricting split the State into 10, then 15, then 17, then 19 Districts by 1995. The current map of 21 districts was drawn in 2005.
In 1990, the current boundaries of District 13 were drawn to include the counties of Glades, Highlands, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie which cover a combined 4,207 square miles of Central and Eastern Florida. Prior to 1990, these six counties were part of District 12 which also included Palm Beach county. Briefly after the split, the district was number 17 which changed to 13 a few years later.
There are currently 20 member high schools and 33 member middle schools. The six public school districts and six private member schools enroll over 98,000 total students.
There are currently 20 member high schools and 33 member middle schools. The six public school districts and six private member schools enroll over 98,000 total students.
Click for Public High School Band Director Histories
FBA Past Presidents from District 13
Peter J. Gustat, named "Father of Bands in the State of Florida," was a Charter Member of the Florida Bandmasters Association and served as President of the Association from 1943-1944. He was inducted into the Florida Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame in 1990.
Professor Gustat founded the band program at Sebring High School in Highlands County with the assistance of the School Board and Rotary Club after the Sebring Municipal Band was disbanded in 1926. He was the Director of Bands from 1927 until his retirement in 1950 at the age of 70. Upon his retirement, his son Paul J. Gustat became the Director of Bands at Sebring High School.
Professor Gustat founded the band program at Sebring High School in Highlands County with the assistance of the School Board and Rotary Club after the Sebring Municipal Band was disbanded in 1926. He was the Director of Bands from 1927 until his retirement in 1950 at the age of 70. Upon his retirement, his son Paul J. Gustat became the Director of Bands at Sebring High School.
Major J.B. O'Neil was a Charter Member of the Florida Bandmasters Association and served as President of the Association from 1944-1945. He was the Director of Bands at Fort Pierce High School (later Dan McCarty High School) from 1925 until his retirement in 1959.
James M. Sammons served as President of FBA from 1996-1998. He retired in 2016 from Vero Beach High School where he served as Director of Bands for 36 years as well as Chairman of Instrumental Music for VBHS and Coordinator of Instrumental Music for Indian River County Schools. Before serving as FBA President, Mr. Sammons was District Chairman prior to the split from Palm Beach County. Mr. Sammons was inducted into the Florida Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame in November of 2013.
Robert Roadman served as President of FBA from 2002-2004. He served as Director of Bands at Martin County High School from 1979 until 2011. He served as District Chairman from 1990-1992 in the first two years after the district split from Palm Beach County. In 2009, Mr. Roadman was inducted into the Florida Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame. Since 2015, he has been the Music Director and Conductor of the Indian River Pops Orchestra.
Past District 13 Officers
Chairperson2018-Present - Clint LaFlam
2014-2018 - Thomas Dougherty 2007-2014 - Page Howell 2006-2007 - Mike Bearden 2004-2006 - Joann Kinder 2002-2004 - Tamyra DiFruscio 2000-2002 - Bill Lindner 1998-2000 - Jim LeBon 1996-1998 - Karren Crocco 1994-1996 - John McGallagher 1992-1994 - Joe Flannigan 1990-1992 - Robert Roadman James M. Sammons |
Secretary2018-Present - Christopher Bowen
2014-2018 - Clint LaFlam 2012-2014 - Thomas Dougherty 2010-2012 - Matt Schabowsky 2008-2010 - Regan Van Ness 2007 - Page Howell 2004-2007 - Amy Clark 2002-2004 - Joann Kinder 2000-2002 - Tamyra DiFruscio 1998-2000 - Sherrie St. Peterey |
Treasurer*2017-2020 - Matthew Karram
2007-2017- Jim LeBon *Prior to 2007, the position of Treasurer was combined with that of District Secretary
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